The global panic brought about by the near collapse of the US economy has melted everyone’s brains.  Shouldn’t we all stop breathing into our paper bags long enough to ask the fundamental question, “Where did all the money go?”  I think we’d discover…it didn’t go anywhere!  The same insurance companies and banks that had it all before, (with the exception of a couple of those bank-like companies who got bullied out of the club), still have it all…and a whole bunch more of ours to boot.  Broken, greed-driven financial systems, (didn’t Jesus kick their butts?), have got us all Chicken Littling, too scared to address the real solution of MASSIVE FINANCIAL REFORM.  Instead, we’re trying to re-budget our way out of the perceived mess and, in the process, creating the bleakest future possible for our children and grandchildren.  Cutting funds for education, infrastructure and NASA, (a tactic from the politician’s guide to responsible governance), will insure a painful return visit to the Dark Ages.  The 21st Century version of free-market capitalism is, in truth, 12th Century feudalism, systematically dismantling our once lauded middle class.  Of course, all of the Tea Baggers and ultra-conservative loonies who subscribe to the adage that, “what you don’t know, won’t hurt you,” obviously believe they cannot be hurt by the dumbing down of society, unregulated pollution, climate change, and imperialist backlash.  At a time when we should be concerned with the shameful quality of and accessibility to education in America, many states are proposing closing up to fifty percent of their public schools in order to balance budgets.  This idea is almost too stupid to be pissed off at…you ignorant mutha…(I did say, almost).

I’ve become enamored by chart-making lately and have prepared the following, based on the premise that ‘happiness’, (except in cases of the genetically masochistic), is the ultimate human goal.  My thesis may not hold true to the unfortunate, and growing, segment of our gene pool who have embraced the mantra of, “ignorance is bliss”.

Happy Spring!